Measuring and recording device



Oiginal Filed Oct. 28. 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 smm EEE.

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Aug. 25', 1942. A. BoYNToN Re- 22,152

MEASURING AND RECORDING DEVICE Original Filed Oct. 28, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2,

ATTORNEYS.

Aus- 25, 1942. hmmm. f R@ 22,162

MEASURING AND RECORDING DEVICE Original Filed Oct. 28, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet .'5

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Reissued Aug. 25, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE No. 237,527, October 28, 1938.

Application for reissue October 14, 1941, Serial No. 415,971

(Cl. Sli- 141) 9 Claims.

My invention relates to measuring and recording means for accurately determining the length of steel lines or cables and for accurately measuring and recording the depth of, and conditions within a well bore.

The objects are to accurately measure (l) the depth of wells, particularly, deep drilled wells, (2) the depth to any given level therein, (3) the distance from one point to another anywhere that a line or cable can be extended to communicate in a straight line between such points Whether such extension be accomplished by employing one or more lengths of the line or cable.

Further objects are (4) to measure a line or cable where it is and as it is after it has been subjected to all forces and conditions which operate to change its length, (5) to incorporate in the measuring means a braking mechanism that will regulate and control the speed at which the measuring and recording mechanism will travel downward upon the line or cable in a well, (6) to record temperature changes in the device which will afford definite and accurate means for calculating the factor of error due to changes of temperature during the measuring operation, and (7) to provide means for definitely determining whether or not the device had actually measured and recorded the depth to the desired level before its withdrawal from the well was begun.

The importance of accurate measurements in deep oil and gas wells is rapidly becoming more rvital as progress is constantly made in the art of drilling to increasingly greater depths. This is true because wells are progressively more expensive to drill as the depth increases and the factor 'of error in measurements also progressively increases with the depth. Oil or gas is frequently found immediately above or below water bearing or dry formations that will take up the oil or gas, one or the other of such water bearing or dry formations being sometimes encountered both above and below the oil or gas.

In some cases only a few feet, or even inches, separate the profitable formations from others that will ruin the well if not cemented oi and thus prevented from coming into the well with the oil or gas. It is, therefore, necessary in such cases to ascertain with great exactness where cement should be forced out into some forma.- tions to close them and where liners should be set or the casing perforated to admit the pay.

In the modern practice of gun perforating the casing set in cement, a water well or a dry hole may result from what would have been a prontable oil or gas well had the shots been fired a few feet, or even inches, higher or lower than where they were fired due to inaccurate measurements.

There is no way of accurately measuring to great depths in a well except to measure the line or cable, hereinafter referred to as the line, after it has been placed in the well and, of course, after the line has been subjected to all length changing forces and conditions operating in the well. Stretch, due to weight of the line and the bottom end weight and expansion resulting from heat, makes inaccurate the practice of measuring a line as it is inserted into the well. The line, which has its units of lengths stamped upon it, is still more inaccurate than the line which is measured at the top of the well as it is inserted, because all measuring lines take some permanent stretch each time they are run into the well.

There is no rule by which increased length of a line, due to weight and temperature changes, can be calculated because the weight and temperature are both unknown factors. This is true because the weight of the line will depend upon its length, the specific gravity, temperature, and depth of liquid in the well. The depth to well liquid often will not be known at beginning of the test, and, if known, will sometimes change during the test. The temperature and specific gravity of the fluid in the well will also change with each increasing foot of depth, and'neither of these changes will necessarily vary according to the depth. Furthermore, temperature changes also change the rate at which a line will be stretched by a given weight.

With the line hanging in the well, there is, therefore, no rule or formula that can do more than vary the units of lengths, factory markings on the line, or the well top measurement of the line, both of which are known to be wrong. from one error to another which may be worse than the rst-unless the line be actually measured in the well where is and as is. The present invention yeiiects such measurement.

I accomplish the objects stated by means of mechanism released at the top of the well and allowed to travel downward over the line previously placed in the well, said mechanism consisting of a series of small sheaves or pulleys mounted within a tubular case filled with oil, the measuring line contacting each pulley; and by means of an automatic counter, a recording thermometer,' an oil pump, and a stop watch, the counter and oil pump each being operated by a pulley driven by the line and the stop watch being stopped by impact upon the weight at bottom end of the line, as will more clearly appear from the accompanying drawings in which- Fig. 1 is, in part, an outside view and partly a longitudinal section through the preferred embodiment with some of the inner parts in outside View.

Fig. 2 is mainly a longitudinal section of the device shown in Fig. 1 with some of the inner parts in outside view, taken 90 degrees around from the showing in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 4h11, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a cross section on the line .i5-"5, Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a cross section on the line 6 6, Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a line shield used as an 'element ofthe device of the invention.

Fig. 8 is, in zpart,an outside view and partly a longitudinal section through va modiiied form of the invention with some of the inner parts in outside'view.

Fig. Sis mainlya longitudinal section of the device rshown in Fig. 8 with some of the inner parts in Youtside view, taken 90 degreesaround fromthe showing in" Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a crosssection on the line Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 .is a cross section 'on the line II--II, Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 `is a cros'sfseotion 'on the line Fig. `9.

.Fig. 113 `is a cross vsection on the line Fig. 9.

Fig. 14 lis, in part, an outside view and partly a longitudinal sectionthrough another modified form of the invention with some of the inner parts in outside view.

Fig. J1-5 is mainly -a longitudinal section of the device shown in Fig. 1'4 with'some ofthe inner par-ts inoutside View, taken SO-d'egreesaround from' the showing in Fig. 1 14.

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Fig. 16 ris -a vcross `section'oni-he line IS--d Fig. 1=5. Y

"Fig, 17 `is across section-on the line I'l--IL Fig. 15.

Fig. 18 is a cross section on the line Il, Figjl.

Fig. 19 is across sectionvon the line I3If9, Fig. 15.

Fig. 2i) is a cross section on the line til-29, Fig.15.

Similar characters of reference are employed to designate similar parts throughout the Vseveral views.

With particular reference to Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, the tubular shell I is threadedly joined to anchor coupling -2 which is similarly joined to nipple i3. The internal coupling v4 is likewise joined to nipple- 3 and to swaged nipple 5. The lower end of shell I hady threaded connection with lower end plug lIii, thebottom end of whichhas spring support nring t8 screwed into it.

The-line, which, for example, may be a multistra-nd vsteelcable 53s to 1/8" diameter, has free sliding clearance through-the central opening in the upper end of packing nipple 1 and similar clearance through floating packing stem 9, anchor bolt 23, lower plate'2-2b, landing rod 2| and thecentr'al opening through the lower end of lower packing holderZ. yThe line 6 has a tight sliding clearance through packing 8, proximate the upper end of the assembly and through packing 24a, proximate the lower end of the assembly.

The sheaves 26, 28, 33, 31, 40, and 42V, having lateral extensions 26a, 28a, 30a, 31a, 40a, and 42a, respectively, are rotatable upon their respective axle screws 25, 21, 29, 36, 39, and 4I. Each of .these screws pass through arms 22 and eachisthreadedly received within one of these arms, as appears in Fig. 1. The arms 22 are `shown secured upon plates 22a and 22h by welds 22a and 22h', respectively. The assembly of sheaves upon and between the arms 22 will be hereinafter referred to as the sheave assembly. This assembly secured upon coupling 2 by anchor bolt 23 and nuts 23a is slidably and removably yreceived `within shell I.

Each o`f the sheaves has a peripheral groove within which the line 6 is received, as appears in Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6. The sheave 26 holds the line central of shell I v"and the opening-'through bolt 2'3. vThe sheave128deects the-line to Vnear the inner `wall `of .shell I parallel to which surface the line then ypasses `around the under side of sheave 31; thence upward to 4the -left side of sheave 33, over this sheave and downto rvthe right side .of :sheave 40; vthence it .passes over the left side of sheave 42. 'In Fig. 12 it will be observed `that fthe sheave 30 is slightlyoff center to the right and 'that sheave -31is slightly -oi center to Athe lei-t. -This `is to .provide that the line will have ample`- clearance where it rdoubles past itself onl-theleft `side ofsheave 3U andon theright side of sheave 31; -the -oif center position-of the other sheaves being such as will cause them to position the line asstated and as shown in Figs. -1-andf2.

lThe pins 43, threaded i-n-to vor'otherwise-"secured through `the arms-22, prevent'thefline'from becoming accidentally disengaged yfrom the peripheral vgrooves in 'sheaves 23'? and 42. The sheaves 28 a-nd "lilll are in such Iclose proximityto the inner surfacefof `shell `I that the line cannot become disengaged Vfrom the peripheralgrooves in these sheaves. The line shield 33 Ahas la eentral opening 33d, Fig. 7, Aadapted, to looselyengage `over the lateralextension's Sila `and '31a "of sheaves 30 Iand 31, respectively. The screwsl3`3a, Fig. 1, secure these shields centrally over theextensions 32a and 31a, respectively,.upon-oneof the 'arms 22 with 'the shell of the shield centrally positioned yabout eachof these sheaves,.the.screws 33a having threaded engagement ywithin the openingslj33b,fFig. 7.

The clearancebetween each sheave and the shells `is-suc'h thatthe sheave is freely rotatable therein, but that the `line cannot-become disengaged from the peripheral -g-roovesof thesheave. The `sidecut v33e, Fig. '7, providesthat `the shield 33 z-mayvbe positioned centrally over the sheave. The slots -33cvarefor assembling convenience,.as well as tofallowingressand egress forthe'line. The shields .33 are yinterchangeable between sheaves v3f! and l31,; as vwill appe'arfrom yan examination of Figs.:1 'and 2.

Thefsheavel30`h`as'gear teeth plate' 3| secured upon onecside'of it .byrivets32 (see Fig. `4). The teetlr la fare 'adapted 4to enmesh with kthe teeth ofpinion 34h, Figs. f1 'and i2,.the `short shaft-34a being adapted to driveftheoil pump 134 secured upon one of thea'rms '22 by screws 35. This oil pump, consisting of two enclosed gears, enmeshed betW-eenintake-'and discharge openings, and other pumps adapted to this use are available to the tradeand, therefore, will not be further described.

Upon one side of the sheave 31 the gear teeth 31h are adapted to enmesh with teeth 38h of gear 38a to drive the counting device 33, which is secured upon one of the arms 22 by means of screws 38o. Numerous such counting devices are available upon the market, and, therefore, will not be further described.

The thermometer 46 which preferably, should be o f the recording type, may be secured upon one of the legs 22 by screws 45a.

The stop clock 44 may have its split plate 44h secured upon the under side of lower plate 22h by studs 45. The arm 44a is adapted to stop the clock when this arm is moved by the tapered head 2 I a in a manner that will be later explained.

The latch balls I1, Fig. 2, are impinged between the inclined annular ball roof I4a of member I4 and the ball floor I5, having a reciprocally inclined surface I5a, by the expansive force of coiled spring I6 with its upper end engaged under the ball floor -I5 and its lower end supported upon ring I8. The latch balls I1 are resiliently urged into the annular groove 2| b of rod 2| by the inclined surfaces I4a, I5a, and spring I6, said groove having a depth somewhat less than one-half the diameter of the balls which, of course, are of uniform size. After the latch is sprung and rod 2l, having clearance Within the opening through the upper end of member I4, is forced upward to stop clock 44, as will be explained, the spring Iii will return the latch parts to the position shown in Fig. 2.

The packing 24a may be compressed by means of the threaded engagement between rod 2| and packing holder 24. The nipple 1 has a free sliding clearance through the central opening in flange 5a at the upper end of nipple 5. The upper expanded end 9a of rod 9 has threaded engagement within the lower end of nipple 1 and is thus adapted to compress packing 8. The floating packing II around the stem 3 is confined by roof plate Ii), gland plate I 2, slidable over stem 9, and the inner surface of nipple 5. This packing, which is closely slidable within the upper portion of nipple 5, may be compressed by gland nut I3 having threaded engagement over the stem 9, in order to keep the packing tight within Said nipple. The parts 1, 8, 9, I0, II, I2 and I3 constitute the movable packing assembly which will be hereafter referred to as assembly 1--I3.

The chamber 5 and shell I are kept filled with a lubricant admitted through the opening shown closed by plug 3a. The openings 2a allow the lubricant to pass out of chamber 5b and fill the shell, the clearance between rod 2| within the upper end of member I4 being such as will allow the lubricant to flow into the latch chamber containing balls I 1 and spring I5. Therefore, the sheaves, latch, and all other moving parts will be constantly submerged in a lubricant,

The diameter of the grooved portion of sheave 31 may be made such as to have a circumference of exactly 6 inches. Then, if the driving gear teeth 31h are half as many in number as the driven teeth 38h, the counter will register in even feet and record the exact number of feet that the device has travelled over the line when stopped by weight 41. Manifestly, the counter should be of the reset type and adapted to register in only one direction, and, for convenience, should be set at zero before each measuring operation.

In operation within a well the device illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 may be placed over the open upper end of the drill pipe or casing, usually proximate the ground surface or derrick floor, and held there while the line 6 is played oi or allowed to run into the well, weight 41 serving to pull the line downward until the weight has reached the level to which measurement is desired. After this level has been reached by the weight. the line should be raised a distance at least equal to the stretch of the line that will be caused by the landing of member 24 upon weight 41 when the device reaches and is stopped by the weight. Careful measurement is made and a record kept of the distance that the line is raised after the weight lands at the level at which measurement is being taken. Unless the weight be so raised the stretch of the line as the device descends over it will cause slack line to accumulate above the weight; and thus prevent proper landing of the device upon the weight before withdrawal from the well is begun.

When the device is released and allowed to travel downward over the line until the member 24 lands upon weight 41, the line causes each sheave to rotate upon its respective axle screw. The sheaves 2B, 28, 4Q, and 42 serve only to deflect the line into the path shown in Figs. 1 and 2, as stated.

The sheaves 30 and 31, having more of their respective peripheries contacting the line than the other sheaves, are employed to transmit slight power from the line. The sheave 3D, by means of gear teeth 3Ia, drives the pinion 34h which operates the oil circulating pump 34 for the purpose of developing a braking force to slow down and regulate the rate at which the device will fall. Manifestly, the faster the fall the faster the pump will be driven; thereby progressively developing greater resistance to the fall. The size of the discharge opening of the pump 34 may be varied in order to develop more or less oil pump resistance at all speeds thereof. While several other braking means have been devised for the device, the oil pump alone is shown, because, its simplicity and certainty of performance seem to render it most desirable for this purpose.

The sheave 31 operates the counter 38 through the enmeshed gear teeth 31h and 38h. The slight power necessary to operate this counter is so much less than the force which would be required to slip the line engaged upon the sheave that there is no danger of such slippage. The tautness of the line caused by the considerable weight of the device causes the line to engage each sheave with considerable force, particularly sheaves 33 and 31 which, respectively, drive the oil pump and counter.

Another reason why the line will not slip upon these sheaves is that the peripheral grooves of the sheaves, in which the line wraps, is, preferably, only very slightly, such as .002", Wider than the line which, if a multi-strand cable, will become deformed enough to engage the sides of the groove and, thereby, act as a brake against any such slippage while the device is descending into the well.

While the weight 41 is being lowered into the well through the device held over the top of the well, as stated, the line may carry on its surface some oil out of the shell. Just before the device is released to measure the line, packing 8 and packing 24a should be checked and tightened, if necessary, and chamber 5b and shell l rel-led vthrough the opening shown closed Vby plugBa,l carefbeing taken that the movablepacking y'assembly `1--13 is'thenpositioned vat the top as shown in Fig. 2. The device,'held at the top ofthe well until weight 41 lands and'the :weight 41-having been raised somewhat more than the stretch of the line that-will'be-caused by the additional yweight -of the device when it lands upon weight l41,"ass-tated, may-then be released.

The counter 38 will register each revolution of sheave 31. The oil pump'will control the rate of fthe fall. `Packing 24a, will Wipe the vlineclean aheady of `the device. APacking V8 strips the oil or other lubricant within the 'device'off of the line but some 4"of `the lubricant lmay be carried through packing 8; thus tending to create a vacuum within vchamber 5b. lSuch Itendency to create a vacuum would invite the intrusion of well liquid into thede'vice as lit descends through this liquid.

U-cup I9, which may be of `leather or any other suitable, tough, and.` durable substance, fitted into an annular recess within ring v18, engages around rod 2| and is held in place by ring 20, having threaded-engagement within ring I8. This U- cup is adapted to be-expanded and sealed off against rod 2l yand member I8 by 'fluid seeking to'enterthe shell lI throughthe clearance between lring 2B and rod 12|; but t0 further vminimize the danger of such intrusion, the packing assembly 1-I3 is lmade slidable withinthe upper portion `of nipple 5.

Whatever small volume of lubricant may be dragged out 'of the device through packing 8 the the line will be compensated for by the downward movement of the packing assembly 1-3 caused bythe pressure of Well liquid-exterior of the device. This movable packing assembly, therefore, causes a constant approximate equality ofpressure to be maintained within andexterior of the device; the only difference in these pressures being the negligibleforce required'to slide the movable packing assembly l'-I`3 within nipple 5. The lower end of stern 9`will land upon the upper end of bolt 23 before the vpacking il will descend far enough to pass out ofl theupper portion of smaller diameter and into 'the lower expanded portion of nipple 5.

When the member 24 lands upon weight 41, the 'impact will spring the latch, forcing landing rod 2| upward, at which time the tapered head Zla will Contact lstop clock arm 44a of stop clock 44. The purpose of this clock is to afford positive information that thedevice, in its descent, actually reached weight 41 before withdrawal of the device frornathe wellis begun. Manifestly, it would be possible for the device to become lodged upon some obstruction on its way down, and lthuscaused to measure only part ofthe desired distance. To avoidsuch a mistake, the-operator checks his watch 1againstthe stop clock just before the device is `placed'in service. `He notes also the time when Withdrawal of the device from the well is begun. If this time is later than that registered by the stop clock w-hen the device -is-withdrawn from the well, it is evident tha-tithe device landed upon the `weightand, thus, measured al1 of the line before withdrawalwas begun.

A sensitive weight indicator employed on the line yabove ground may be substituted lfor the stop clock in all forms of'this invention. The indicated weight'of the line and device after'the device -has begun its n'descent over the line, will hold quite-constant until the device lands yupon the Weight l'41, at which time -the added Vweight 75 of thedevice at-rest will become apparent. There will be a quickly apparent lightening of the indicated weight when the device *first venters well liquid anda gradualfurther lightening as the specific` gravity of the well liquid increases with increased depth (unless vthe additional played 01T line should more than `compensate for such lightening), but, since both of these changes indicate less weight, neither change will be confused with the sudden 4manifestation of increased weight when the device lands upon @the weight 41.

The modication` of 'the invention as illustrated in'Figs. 14 and l5 specifically contemplates the use of a 'weight indicator Aand elimination of the 'stop clock ia'ndflatch mechanism employed to stop the clock in `the flrstt'twoembodiments, as will appear'in the 'description of this modification.

`The thermometer I4B which, preferably, should be of the recording type, indicating the temperature changes-and the time thereof, will afford accurate informationl by which diameter'changes in the sheave 31 can be computed. An ordinary thermometer, however, may be employed if the recording type be not available. If, to illustrate, the temperature of the device and its contained lubricant be 68 degrees when it is released for descent over the line, and it travels downward ten minutes; and ten minutes is required for the withdrawal, it isevident that one-half of the temperature change too-k place during the descent. v

To further illustrate, if the starting temperaturebe 68 degrees and the thermometer registers degreeswhen the ldevice `is withdrawn after 20 minutes (l0 going-in and l0 coming out), the temperature must have been74 degrees when the device lands upon the weight. The average temperature during the descent was, 'therefore,'71 degrees. The increased diameter of 'sheave 31 atll degrees, as compared with its diameter at 68 degrees, affords exact data for correcting the indicated measurement. yIn this connection, it is apparent that the diameter of sheavel31 should be calipered at every temperaturewithin the operating range before it is installed 'in the device and ia record kept of such diameters'to facilitate quickcalculaton on the job.

It being assumedlthat the circumference of the line-groove in'sheave 31 -is six inches at 68 degrees F., that this was the temperature of the device and its Vcontained'lubricant when it was released to travel over the line; that the counter records one *for each 'two `complete revolutions of the sheave; and 'that the counter was set at zero when thefdevice wasreleased; then, to ascertain the exact distance Abetween the center of sheave 31 where the device was released andthe top of weight 41, multiply or divide, as may be required, the counter reading by the coefcient of expansioniin'dicated by the mean temperature during the descent of the device and add the distance that the weight was raised after it was landed and also add the length of weight 41 and the distance -between the center of sheave 31 and the lower e'nd of the device. To this Vsum add One and then-subtract the distance that this sheave will turn to lrecord another digit. The answer will'be `'the exact distance between the centerbf shea-ve `31 at its starting point and the place where v41 was landed.

In orderto read the thermometer, counter, and stop clock, and inorder to ascertain the'distance that'the line will'travelin the` groove of sheave 31 before the counter will add another"digit,'the shell l may be removed. This is done yby un- 'screwing the shell from anchor coupling 2 and -then lowering the shell which uncovers the sheave Y assembly and all other parts attached to arms 22.

It will be noted that the line has already taken all of the stretch resulting from its own weight 4and weight 41 and temperature changes before the device is released to make and record the measurement. While it is true that the line will be stretched somewhat more by the partial weight of the device supported by the line during the descent of the device and further stretched when the device lands on weight 41, all this stretch occurs after the measurement has been made.

Attention is now directed to the modification illustrated in Figs. 8 to 13, both inclusive. It will be understood that the parts bearing reference characters corresponding to the similar parts in the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, are the same in construction and purpose and for the construction and use of such parts, reference is here made to the preceding specification. It will be further understood that portions of the device shown in outside view contain similar parts to those shown at the same place in the preceding form.

It will be noted in Figs. 8 and 9 that the line 6 passes completely around sheaves 36A and 31A, the wrap of the line around each of said sheaves being in the form of `a helix. It will also be observed that the second sheave from the top and the second sheave from the bottom in Figs. 1 'and 2 are omitted from Figs. '1 and 8. Otherwise, there is no appreciable difference in construction, except that line shields 33A do not cover as much of the geared sheaves as the shields 33 do in Figs. 1 and 2 and that the teeth Sla are integral with the sheave 30A in Figs. 8 and 9, wherein the plate 3| and rivets 32 are omitted from the construction employed in Figs. 1 and 2.

In reading the foregoing specification, as applicable to this modified form, it will be noted that sheaves 30A and 31A answer the same purpose as'sheaves 30; and 31 in the first form, the peripheral grooves for wire 6, however, being wide enough for two wraps in Figs. 8 and 9 instead of only wide enough for one wrap as in Figs. 1 and 2. The arms 22A in Figs. 8 and 9 are, in all respects, the same as the arms 22 in Figs. 1 and 2, except that two sheaves 28 and 4l and their axle screws, appearing in Figs. 1 and 2, are omitted from the illustration in Figs. 8 and 9. The operation of this first modified form is the same as previously described for the first embodiment.

Another modification of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 14 to 20, both inclusive, wherein several parts are omitted from each of the preceding embodiments. The parts bearing the same reference characters as employed in the previous forms will be understood as employed for similar purposes as hereinbefore described and discussed. The upper portion of the device shown in outside view in Figs. 14 and 15 contains the same parts as are shown in the corresponding upper portion of the device shown in Figs. 2 and 9, respectively.

In Figs. 14, 15, and 17 it will be observed that the sheaves 30B and 31 are cocked or turned at different angles, each, however, having its center coinciding with the same perpendicular center line. These sheaves are so turned in order to provide that the line, after it passes around either of the central sheaves, will clear the side of the other. The arms 22B are jogged out of alignment in three places, at 22B', 22B, and 22B'",

in order that they may have their inner surfaces parallel with sheaves 26, 30B, 31, and 42, respectively, as appears in Figs. 14 and 15. This jogging of the arms 22B also provides that the bases of the oil pump and counter may be secured upon the surfaces of these arms parallel with the respective sheaves which drive the pump and counter. This arrangement permits the geared sheaves 39B and 31 to be of larger diameter than would be possible in the preferred form, using the same diameter shell.

It will be observed that the construction and mechanical movements of each embodiment are so similar as to afford little choice from the standpoint of practicability, except that the second modified form has fewer parts and can be more cheaply manufactured than either of the other two embodiments.

The arms 22B and the plates 22a and 22h, upon which the oil pump and counter are mounted in this construction, preferably, should be a one piece casting. The hereinafter described and discussed parts are somewhat different from those of either of the forms preceding. The geared sheave 39B differs from the sheave 33 in Figs. 1 and 2 in that the gear teeth are integral with the sheave 30B, and differs from the sheave SA in Figs. 8 and 9 in that the sheave 30B has a peripheral groove adapted to receive only one thickness of the line. The gland 24h is adapted to compress packing 24a by means of the threaded landing rod 2|A through which rod the cable 6 is slidable. The plug IAA replaces plug I4 in the preceding embodiments. upper side of upper plate 22a is turned off at 22a. to allow the lubricant in chamber 5b to freely pass into shell l via openings 2a.

The outside diameter of the geared sheaves 30B and 31 are both so nearly the inside diameter of the shell that there is little danger of the line becoming disengaged from these sheaves. The shields 33B, secured to the arms 22B by screws 33a, however, are provided to avoid the possibility of the line becoming disengaged from sheaves 30B and 31 (see- Fig. 14). Portions of the device shown in outside view will be understood as containing similar parts to those shown at the same place in the previous embodiment.

It will be noted that the latch, U-cup, and stop clock are omitted from the modification just described, although they may be employed if desired. In omitting the latch, U-cup, and stop clock from this modification of the invention, it is contemplated that a sensitive weight indicator will be employed to ascertain when the weight is landed, as was discussed in connection with the preferred embodiment.

It is obvious that mechanical changes, substitutions, and adaptations may be made in the structures and that equivalent may be substituted for the parts shown; and I reserve the right to make such mechanical changes, substitutions, and adaptations within the scope of the invention as comprehended by the stated objects and appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a measuring assembly adapted to measure an elongated member, such as cables, rods and the like by movement longitudinally thereof the combination of an elongated shell adapted to contain a lubricant, said shell having openings in the ends thereof through which said member may pass, spaced means within the casing for guiding the member adjacent said openings, and means intermediate said last mentioned means for frictionally engaging the member and driven A portion of the thereby for measuring the distance of travel, of the assembly upon the member.

2. In a measuring assembly adapted to move longitudinallyl of a member tov be measured, spaced guiding: means to maintain alinement of portions of the member at opposite ends of the assembly, rotatable means intermediateY said guiding meansy for frictionally engaging the member to be driven thereby and means for registering the revolutions of said last mentioned means to measure the'distance traversed by the assembly upon the member.

3. In a measuring assembly adapted to move longitudinally of a member to be measured, spaced guides for maintaining alinement of portions of the member at opposite ends of the assembly, a sheave intermediate said guides displacing the member sidewardly so that the sheavevvill be frictionally engaged by the member and will bedriven thereby upon movement of the assembly, and means for countingthe revolutions ofv said sheave.

4. In a measuring assembly adapted to move longitudinally of a member to be measured, means for registering the amount of movement of the assemblyy relative tothe member, and meansr for controlling the rate of movement of the assembly upon the member, said last.. mentioned meansl comprising a hydraulic brake mechanism frictionally engaging the member and driven thereby upon relative movement of the member andthe assembly.

5. A measuring device adapted to move longitudinally of a member to be measured including ak shelladapted-to surround the member and move longitudinally thereof, means for measuring the movement of= they shell longitudinally of the member, a lubricant Within said shell and surrounding said last mentioned means, andhydraulic braking means frietionally engaging the member and driven thereby to control the rate of. movement ofthe device uponrthe member.L

6. Ay device for measuring cables` or the like in situ comprising a shell surrounding the. cable to be measured, a pair of spaced sheaves rotatably mounted Within said shell and having the cable intermediate the ends of the shell passing successively thereover so that the sheaves are frictionally engaged by the cable, hydraulic'brakng `means operatively connected to one of said sheaves for controlling the rate of movement of thedevice uponthe cable, and a counter operatively connected to the other of said sheaves to register the movement of the device relative to the cable.

7. A device for measuring cables or the like in situ comprising ar shell surrounding the cable to be measured, a pair of spaced sheaves rotatably mounted Within-said shell and having the cable intermediate the ends of the shell passing successively thereover so that the sheaves are frictionally engagedby the cable, hydraulic braking means operatively connected to one of said sheaves for controlling the rate of movement of the device upon the cable, and a counter operatively connected to the other ef said sheavesy to register the movement of the device relative to the cab-1e, there lbeing a lubricant within the shell to lubricate the sheaves and supply fluid to the hydraulic braking means.

8. A device for measuring` a line in situ com prising: a measuring assembly surrounding said line and adapted to travel longitudinally thereof; means for measuringl the distance ofmovement of the assembly upon saidline; and means'for arresting movement of the assembly when a predetermined point upon said line is reached.

9. In a measuring assembly adapted to move longitudinally of a member to be measured.: ro'- tatable means for engaging the member to be driven thereby; guiding means for guiding said member into engagement with said rotatable means; and means for registering the revolutions of said rotatable means to measure the distance traversed by the assembly upon the member.

ALEXANDER BOYNTON. 

